Barcelona planning to re-sign former graduate

Southampton midfielder Oriou Romeu is being linked with a surprise return to former club Barcelona ahead of this summer's transfer window.

The former Spain under-23 international moved to the South Coast in the summer of 2015 after he failed to earn playing time at Chelsea under then-boss Jose Mourinho.

Romeu has since been a revelation in the Saints' midfield and has appeared in exactly 50 league outings for Claude Puel's side to date.

Spanish publication MARCA cites that the Spaniard could make way from the Saints this summer with the possibility of rejoining Barcelona, with whom he spent nine years.

Romeu graduated through the famous La Masia academy in the summer of 2008, and had made just one appearance for the Barcelona senior squad before moving on to Chelsea three years later.

His time at Chelsea was never a success with the constant changing of managers affecting his chances of cementing himself a regular in the Blues first-team.

Now at St.Mary's, Romeu has managed to make a name for himself in central defence, and he is now being as a potential candidate to bolster the Barcelona squad in the summer.

Both Andre Gomes and Ivan Rakitic have not managed to perform at a consistent level this season, and the club will seek to sign a new midfielder who could provide the additional security alongside the ever reliable Sergio Busquets.

Romeu was recently named the Southampton Player of the Year after having beaten the injured Virgil van Dijk to the award.